Bag emptying machine



March 13, 1956 v. J. DAVID BAG EMPTYING MACHINE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 20, 1952 INVENTOR. I/rwzon f ,David March 13, 1956 v. J. DAVID 2,738,085

BAG EMPTYING MACHINE Filed may 2o, 1952 2 sheets-sheet 2 INVNToR. 767471071 JQUZ'CZ United States Patent@ "w BAG EMPTYING MACHINE-I Vernon J. David,,Durham,.Kans.4 Application May 2Q,'1952, Serial No.V 288,987

` claims.` (cram-314) This invention relates to la machine or mechanical devicenfr transferring Athe contents of vvonecontairner into another container, receptacle and the like.

A Moreiparticularly, this invention relates tol a machine whichVA may be lused advantageouslyfor emptying conventional bavgs or sacks of different sizes and shape, suchas are .used inthe storing and transporting of `livestockvfeeds and other analogous ilowablematerials.l

The principalobject of the present-invention is the provision of a machine ofthe indicated character for the convenient v.handling ofi-bags or sacks for thestated purpose, and` aiQrding the following advantages.

LT6 enable the handling'of'bags-orsacksofdiierent sizes as to length andn widthy in a tiltable containervbody having a spoutjand discharge control-gate. The containerY body lis designed andadapted to keepeach bag or sack from slipping or saggingrelativevtoV the body thereby preventing the bag or s2'1cktrornA fouling `or jamming the gate as the body is moved from Van upright .loadin g position into an inclined discharging position-and through Ithe complete emptying operation;

The "contents of a bag or sack may be conveniently discharged-by means ofthe. spoutV and gatewhich `prevent-thematerial from'spilling or=overlipwing,.while the rate o f v4flow of the/material'mayleasily-.be.regulated at the willofthe user.

The discharge control gate isfplaced'. atan angle-to the longitudinal -aXis of the body to provideA the user with maximum visibility Vof the pailfor container being.V filled; to provide improved inherenteagitating.action of the gate asY itis. opened orlclosedgfland toi'provideproper means for operating Aadditional agitationinansto agitate the -materialas itleaves theopenend-.ofla bagor` sack orfascont'ainedrin the enclosed tubularspouthereby assuring t steady. outflow. of the.k material under. control K of the gate.

Thefcontainerbody of the machineA ismounted on a base, thatA eachbagiortsackfmay vbe-placed in,- andi` the bodyl togetherswiththev bagorA sackv maybe tiltedfinto av position.for the discharge'ofsthebag. orisack'contents witha minimum `amountiof manual effort.

The` machiner` body maybe adjusted. to the desired angles .in either avertical` orhorizontal planer andvin regard -.to,l the. distanceof theV discharge spout fend,4 in the discharge.,position, andthe .othe Orrbottorn, end, inthe loading position, to the hase-.andlto the mount post. A vertical adjustment isprovided on the mounttpost.- The aforesaid= adjustments are designed :to.meet` therequirements of t different 4sizes and weights. of e bags or sacks, vdifferentlsizes of pails or containers, propenandtconvenient loathng of thebags er, sacks, proper holding action of the.Y barbs, Proper Haw lof the. material beuedisllarged, and proper, center Oiaravim and may barriada-rind@- pendently, or., in different.. combinations@ .meettlteiafare- Saidrequrements.,

Thafmashine .is-PtavideaW-ith novel maar which@ additionp tg .malrging., it Lpossiblefto. ,turiligthet'containert body irit'omdilerentY angular 'positions for loading and' 2,738,085 Patented Mar. 13, 1956 2. operations and to obtain diferent elevations of the co11- tainer body, also provide easyportability through the utilization of a circular base.V

With the foregoing, other Objects,V benefits and advantages will appear when the following specilication is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig.A l is 4a vertical -sectional View of a machine constructed in accordance with the present invention, the container body of the machine being shown in its loaded position in full lines and in a discharging position in dotted lines. v Y

Fig. 2 is a rear elevational view of thernachine with the parts in thev relation shown in Fig. l.

Fig'. 3 vis a view similar to Fig. 1 showing the container body in a dischargingposition, but turned one hundred and eighty degrees from the discharging position shown in Fig. l.l Y

Fig. 4 is a rear elevational view of the machine with the container body in its discharging position.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary'` vertical sectional view showing -certain parts of the stand on which the container body is mounted.`

Figs.` 6, 7, and 8` show different types of barbs used to keep a bag from `slipping or sagging, Fig. 7 being a sectional View taken on the line f7-7 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 9 shows a portion of the container body and the adjustable and removable plate. to adapt the body for bags or sacks lof different size as to length.

Fig. l()` isa fragmentary detail sectional-view.

Generally stated, the machine comprises a container body 10 `with dischargecontrol means, and av stand-11 on which the body lint-is mounted `for movement between a ,loading'position and ja discharging position. The body lis designed and adapted -to accommodate conventional lled bagsor sacks ofdifferentsizes andshapes.

The bodyltb is of troughlike construction. It is constructed from suitable material which may be sheet metal as shown in thepresent instance. The b ody 10 is substantiallyA U shape in cross section. It has a permanent slopingrear end wall 12 having corrugations or channels 13`and-14 `respectively, the channels l?)V being at the sides and diverging rearwardly, and the channel 14 being disposedcentrally. Itis understood that the wall i2 serves as the bottom of the body i@ when the latter is in the loading position, andthat the channels 13 and 14 strengthen thewall 12 and may-serve as feet for the body. The channels 1 5 also accommodate the usual protruding earsor cornersf the bottom end of a loaded bag. A bail or other handle i5 is secured to the wall 12 formanipulatingthe body. 10.-

The front endy of .the body lil has formed integrally therewith, or hassecuredthereto, a spout 16 which is tapered andltubular, as. shown most clearly in Figures 2 and 4. Thespout hasspacedguides 17 thereon. Agate 18 is slidable in the guides l into an open and closed position. A bail or otherhandle 19 is secured to the gate. for manipulation.V A scraper Zt-is securedto the spout 16in cooperative relation tothe gate i3. Upon movement ofthe ,gateV the scraper keeps the inside surface ofthe gateclean. Chains .2lV are provided. Each chain has one end connected'with the body 1d, as at 22, and its opposite end connectedwith the gate 1S, as at 23. Thechains 21.constitute. additional means for agitating the material as it is being discharged from the open end Qta bag or sack, by. manipulating theV gate with the handle 19,. This assures a steady outflow. of the material as the bag orsack sbeing. emptied. The point of attachment ofthe chains 21-also limits the opening movementrof the gatelS- andprevents it from being separated from the spout 1. xhe' size lof thevspout is such'as to accommodate most common size bags. However an egtens'ionj., Eis- 19,. saar be, aftasaadfo..laagtlnatte tubular n- ICC struction, preventing the spilling or overflowing of material when unusual size bags are used. The gate controls the rate of outflow of the material at the will of the user.

In order to prevent a bag or sack from sagging or slipping forward as it is being emptied, and jamming and fouling the gate 18, the body l@ and the spout have distributed on the insides thereof a multiplicity of suitably directed burrs or barbs 24.

The barbs may be formed integrally with the body and spout. The points of the barbs are directed in a generally rearward direction, with the points at the sides of the body directed rearwardly and toward the center of the body in a manner such as to direct the points in a direction roughly parallel to the movement of the sack or bag as it is raised slightly higher than the wall 12 and then placed with a slight downward movement into the body and down on the wall 12. The center-ward direction of the barbs is progressively changed from the sides toward the center until near and at the center the barbs point in a direction near parallel with the longitudinal axis of the body. The points simultaneously and progressively change also in regard toward vertical direction, with the points being near parallel to the horizontal axis of the body near the sides and increasing toward the center.

The proper arrangement of the directions and placement of the barbs, together with the shielding effect of the hemispherically or similarly mounted barbs prevent the snagging or catching with consequent damage to the bag as it is placed in the body 10, and at the same time effect a positive angle of attack of the barb points toward the movement of the bag toward the gate. The barbs are arranged to hold the bag at the sides as well as the underside to eliminate slipping or sagging and readily release their hold when the body is returned to its upright loading position, or when the bag is pulled manually in a direction away from the gate for the removal of the bag from the machine.

The stand l comprises a circular base 25 having an upstanding supporting tubular member 26 which loosely receives therein a cooperative supporting shaft or rod member 27. The tubular member 26 has rows of holes 28 therein, said rows of holes having a location diametrically opposite each other. The rod member 27 has a circular groove 29 therein near its lower end. Use is made of a bolt 39 having a return bent end portion 31. The bolt 30 is receivable in a pair of holes 28 of the rows of holes with the portion 31 extending through a hole in one row and projecting into the groove 29. The lower end of the rod member 27 rests on the bolt 30. A nut 32 screwed on the bolt keeps it in place, and also enables the removal of the bolt at will for making vertical adjustments of the rod member 27 with respect to the base 25. When the bolt 30 is in place the portion 31 in the groove 29 prevents the rod member 27 from moving axially upward and allows the rod member to turn in the tubular member 26.

In order to mount the body on the stand 11 for pivotal movement on a horizontal axis between the loading position and the discharging position, there are provided plates 33 which are secured to the body 10 exteriorly thereof between the ends of the body, and in spaced parallel relation to each other and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the body 10. The plates 33 each have a ange 34 which is riveted, welded or otherwise secured to the body 1?, as at 35. The plates 33 each have three sets of holes 36, 37 and 3S therein. The upper end of the rod member 27 has a hub or the like 39. A bolt 4t) extends through a selected pair of holes 36 of the sets of these holes and through the hub 39. The body 10 is thus connected with the stand 11 for pivotal movement. The body may be adjusted longitudinally by placing the bolt 40 in another pair of holes 36 as may be desired or required.

A pin 41 arranged in a selected pair of holes 37 in s the plates 33 will extend crosswise between the plates and thus be disposed to cooperate with the tubular member 26 to limit the movement of the body 16v into the desired discharging position. Likewise a pin 42 applied to selected holes 38 will limit t e movement of the body 16 into the desired loading position. These pins 41 and 42 each may have a rubber sleeve to cushion severe shocks or jars which might be incurred through rough treatment or inadvertently chopping the body from the discharge to loading position. These sleeves also serve to eliminate noise upon Contact with the member 26.

In order to counterbalance the body 10, so that the body may be given pivotal movement with minimum manual etlort, there is provided a helical retractile spring 33 which has one end connected with the rod member 27 by a pivoted link 44 carried by the member 27, and the other end of the spring is connected with the body 10 by means of a short chain 45 on the spring and a hook 46 on the body 1t). The spring 43 enables the empty body 10 to be brought into its loading position and to remain therein. The spring will be under tension and assist in the movement of the body 10 from the loading position into its discharging position when manual effort is applied to the handle 15. By reason of the links of the chain 45 and the hook 46 the tension of the spring 43 may be varied in an obvious manner.

In lieu of the barbs 24 which are integral with the body 10, use may be made of barbed bands or strips such as those shown in Figs. 6 and 8. In Fig. 6, the strip 47 has upraised nodules 48 of hemispherical formation, each nodule having a barb 49. The barbs may be so arranged that when a plurality of strips 47 are applied to the body 10, the barbs will be disposed at proper angles with respect to the longitudinal axis of the body. Thus there will be small possibility of the bag being snagged or damaged by the barbs.

In Fig. 8 a cross-sectionally U shape strip 50 has barbs 51 cut from the material of one ange and the other ilange 52 serves for securing the strip, to function in the manner as explained in connection with the strip 47.

In order to etectually handle bags of different size as to length, there is provided a separate ribbed end plate member 53 whose peripheral edge conforms to the crosssectional shape of the body 10. The member 53 has radial studs 54 thereon which are received respectively in sets of holes 55 in the body, said holes being arranged in rows extending longitudinally of the body 10. The springiness of the material of the body 10 acting on the studs 54 in the selected holes 55 holds the member 53 in the desired position of adjustment. It is obvious that the member 53 serves as a false bottom for the container body 10 when it is in its loading position.

From the foregoing it will be understood that the container body 10 may be moved on a horizontal axis between an upright loading position and an inclined discharging position; that the body may be adjusted vertically with respect to the base; that the body may be adjusted as to proper angle for loading and discharging positions and in respect to center of gravity; that the spring counter-balances the weight of the machine body and assists gravity in holding the body 10 in discharge position and assists in maneuvering the body in the loading position; that the body may be turned about a vertical axis into different angular positions for more convenient loading of the bags or sacks and the discharge of the contents thereof; that the base 25 may be used as a wheel when the stand is thrown at an angle While holding the body 10, thus effecting a rolling means for easily transporting the machine from place to place; and that the other mentioned advantages may be attained.

It is further to be understood that the invention is not restricted to the details above described, but includes all constructions coming within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim: ,l

l. In a bag emptying machine, substantially-a hemicylindrical troughilike bodytadapteduto contain a bag full of' granulanowable material, and which supportstaid bag in a position so that the material .'may ,ow out of the open end ofthe bag, said body on its, front endfhaving `a slidablymounted adjustable openingtgatefnear .which the open end of the bag may be disposed,.,the 1gate beingslidable into a selective open position to enable outow of the material from thefbag, andf'slidahle into a closed position. to stop the outflow ofthe material, `means mounting said 'body so that itmay be rockedinto and out ofartilte'd position, the `rear end of lsaid body1having rearwardlyr diverging channels extending j, therefrom Aand communicating Awith the interior of'th'e body foraccommodating the Vusual ears-'ordistentions on the bottom vof the bag.

2. In a bag emptying machine, substantially a hemicylindrical trough-like body adapted to contain a bag full of granular llowable material, and which supports said bag in a position so that the material may flow out of the open end of the bag, said body on its front end having a slidably mounted adjustable opening gate near which the open end of the bag may be disposed, the gate being slidable into a selective open position to enable outflow of the material from the bag, and slidable into a closed position to stop the outow of the material, means mounting said body so that it may be rocked into and out of a tilted position, a plate which conforms to the cross-sectional shape of the body when the plate is arranged crosswise therein, and means to retain said plate crosswise in diierent positions of adjustment with respect to said body to serve as a bottom rest for bags of different lengths.

3. In a bag emptying machine, substantially a hemicylindrical trough-like body adapted to contain a bag full of granular owable material, and which supports said bag in a position so that the material may ilow out of the open end of the bag, said body on its front end having a slidably mounted adjustable opening gate near which the open end of the bag may be disposed, the gate being slidable into a selective open position to enable outow of the material from the bag, and slidable into a closed position to stop the outow of the material, means mounting said body so that it may be rocked into and out of a tilted position, and means interconnected between said body and said gate operated by the movement of the gate to positively agitate the material to facilitate the outflow of the material from the body.

4. In a bag emptying machine, substantially a hemicylindrical trough-like body adapted to contain a bag full of granular owable material, and which supports said bag in a position so that the material may flow out of the open end of the bag, said body on its front end having a slidably mounted adjustable opening gate near which the open end of the bag may be disposed, the gate being slidable into a selective open position to enable outflow of the material from the bag, and slidable into a closed position to stop the outow of the material, means mounting said body so that it may be rocked into and out of a tilted position, and chains connected with the body and the gate operated by the movement of the gate which agitates the material to facilitate the outow of the material from the body.

5. A bag emptying machine including a trough-like body for a bag full of owable material, a stand, selectively adjustable cooperative means on the stand and said body mounting the body for pivotal movement on a horizontal axis between a substantially vertical loading position and an inclined dischargeing position, adjustment of the relative position of the elements forming said cooperative means enabling changes in the position of the horizontal axis with respect to said body, to adapt to different sizes and weights of bags and adjustment of the center of gravity of ,said body, said stand embodying means for increasing or decreasing the height of the stand-so as -to raise vor lower said-body :toI adapt thewmachin'e -tofdifferent 'sizes of containers into-which; theemateral is1to-be -ernptiedand for proper and/convenient loading of bags, said cooper-ativemeans ,compris-f ing a pivotfon-the Aupperendfof.lthe-stand, and bearings on said^=body,jsaid bearingshaving rows of spaced vholes therein,n and said pivot beingselectively engageable in selected-holes-of said rowsga retractile.:spring connected. withf-the -lbody and a stationary -partv of..v the machine,- changingof the -pivott point shifting -the center of .gravityof the-bodyf-and when shiftedto lighten thegravityload automaticallyuincreasing.:tension-in the spring to .facili-t tate-moving-th'e container :to-bag emptying position.

6l In-a bag emptying-machine, substantially a hemi-i cylindrical trough-li'ke-bodyv adapted-to contain: a4 bag fullhofd'granular flowable'amaterial, and.4 which ,supports saidebag :in'aposi-tionsQAhat-the fmaterialnmay. ow', outl of the open end of the bag, said body on its front end having a slidably mounted adjustable opening gate near which the open end of the bag may be disposed, the gate being slidable into the selective open position to enable outflow of the material from the bag, and slidable into a closed position to stop the outflow of the material, means mounting said body so that it may be rocked into and out of a tilted position, the rear end of said body having rearwardly diverging channels extending beyond the longitudinal sides of the body and communicating with the interior of the body for accommodating the usual ears on the bottom 0f a bag, a central channel on the rear end of the body and a lifting handle interconnected across said central channel for strengthening the bottom.

7. Ina bag emptying machine, substantially a hemicylindrical trough-like body adapted to contain a bag full of granular lowable material, and which supports said bag in a position so that the material may flow out of the open end of the bag, said body on its front end having a slidably mounted adjustable opening gate near which the open end of the bag may be disposed, the gate being slidable into a selective open position to enable outiiow of the material from the bag, and slidable into a closed position to stop the outflow of the material, means motiliting said body so that it may be rocked into and out of a tilted position, the rear end of said body having rearwardly diverging channels extending beyond the longitudinal sides of the body and communicating with the interior of the body for accommodating the usual ears on the bottom of a bag, a central channel on the rear end of the body and a lifting handle interconnected across said central channel for strengthening the bottom, said body having a plurality of spaced elevated portions on the interior thereof covering a substantial area of the bottom and sides of the trough, and raised directed projections on said elevated portions for engagement with and holding of said bag over a substantial area of the back and sides thereof during emptying.

8. In a bag emptying machine of the character described, a bag cradle of hemicylindrical shaped crosssection having a discharge spout and a rear end, a plurality of spaced elevated portions on the interior of said cradle covering a substantial area of the bottom and sides thereof, raised directed projections on said elevated portions for engagement with and holding of said bag over a substantial area of the back and sides thereof duringl emptying, said elevated portions comprising upraised nodules of hemispherical formation and having the raised projections thereon.

9. In a bag emptying machine of the character described, a bag cradle of hemicylindrical shaped crosssection having a discharge spout and a rear end, a plurality of spaced elevated portions on the interior of said cradle covering a substantial area of the bottom and sides thereof, raised directed projections on said elevated portions for engagement with and holding of said bag over a substantial area of the back and sides thereof during emptying, said elevated portions comprising U-shaped strips having the raised projections cut from the material of one ange thereof and the other ange being secured to the body of said cradle.

10. In a bag emptying machine of the character described, a bag cradle comprising a single piece of material bent to hemicylindrical shape of smooth internal contour and having a tapering tubular spout on the forward end thereof, said spout having an upwardly and rearwardly slanting discharge opening, and a gate slidably and adjustably mounted over said opening for controlling material flow therefrom, chains having one end thereof connected to said body and their opposite ends connected to said gate whereby, upon movement of said gate, said chains agitate material being discharged from a bag and providing a steady flow of material from said discharge opening, said chains also limiting movement of said gate.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS rf-f ma, 

